Town hall pensions expenditure “unsustainable” – Welsh Conservatives

A quarter of the average council tax bill goes on paying town hall pensions, figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives reveal today.

"...costs like these are unsustainable" Darren Millar AM talking this week about pensions

Amid concerns about budget cuts and threats to local jobs and services Conservatives have learned that:

The cost of town hall pensions (excluding teachers, police and firefighters) was £354,843,000 in 2007-8, the last year for which figures are currently available.

Analysis by the Welsh Conservatives suggests this accounts for around £272 for every household in Wales, some 27% of the average band D council tax bill.

Commenting, Shadow Local Government Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said:

“Instead of using council tax to pay for street cleaning, refuse collection, or local services, a quarter of every household’s bills is being spent on pension costs.

“With councils across Wales facing the prospect of cutting jobs and local services massive costs like these are unsustainable.”